A Rush of Blood

Boston was always famous for its picturesque scenery. Grand oaks painting the landscape with their vibrant, green leaves coloring the atmosphere. The air seemed cleaner there, as if it was filtered through the whispering branches swaying in the wind. It was in this beautiful, sunny afternoon in Boston that our friends Xander, Willow, and Buffy found themselves one day. They sat around a small table in a courtyard in Boston, all sipping variations of sugary, coffee convections.

"So, Buffster, I thought we lost you for good to Italy, " Xander said. "I mean, who can blame you, all that pizza?"

Buffy smiled. "Mm, it was touch and go there. They did have incredible food."

"Aw, Buffy couldn't stay away from us long," said Willow.

"Nobody can resist Willow charm, " Xander said. He and Willow shared an affectionate smile.

"Oh, I almost forgot, " Willow said, putting down her drink. "Andrew called and invited all of us for vacation fun this weekend."

Buffy frowned. "Don't you have school, though?"

"The semester doesn't start for another week. Anyway, since Andrew's like, a ladies man now, he was able to—"

Xander interrupted. "Wait, Andrew's a ladies man? When did this happen?"

Buffy replied without missing a beat. "Right between the fourth Harry Potter movie and the newest X-men comic."

"Oh."

"Nerds are still in," Willow said with a smug smile. "Anyway, he got us rooms at this great hotel in New York."

It was Buffy's turn to interrupt. "New York?" she asked, startled.

"Yeah. Is—is that a problem?" Willow asked worriedly, seeing Buffy's expression.

"No, no…it's just…Remember Spike?"

"Let's see, bleached vampire who had sex with you, raped you, got a soul for you, and then died saving the world?" Xander said, slightly sarcastic but not mean. "Yeah, we remember."

"Oh good. Well, he's not so dead anymore."

Willow's eyes grew wide. "Spike's alive?"

"Yeah."

"Like, alive alive?" Xander questioned.

"Mm-hmm. Well, not alive alive. He's dead alive. " Buffy frowned. "I mean…undead…alive, look he didn't die in Sunnydale, ok? He was trapped in the amulet thingy. And now he's in New York."

"And you wait until now to tell us?" Xander asks, a little hurt.

"Well I just found out last week," Buffy said apologetically. "We saw each other in Venice."

Willow got excited. "Oh my god. That's incredible. Did you guys…you know…"

Buffy grinned at her friend. "No, we did not get together or do anything remotely couple-ish. We just talked, and occasionally patrolled. No biggie."

Xander got back to the topic at hand. "So is that a no for New York?"

Buffy looked at her drink, thinking. "No no, we'll go. It's not like it's going to be awkward or anything, I mean, why should it be awkward? It's just two, good friends who might or might not see each other and there are no feelings!" she ended with indignation.

Willow and Xander looked at her with raised eyebrows. "Oo-kay," Xander said slowly. "I'm just gonna take that caramel frappucino away from you now."

He slowly slid her drink away from her. Buffy gave him a look.

Part One

They eventually arrived at New York City with few mishaps, and settled into the routine of fun-having.

On this night, Buffy slowly wandered alone on the sidewalks, looking into store windows, observing the city's nightlife. It was late, and things were quiet. Well, as quiet as New York could ever get.

On the opposite side of the street, who should appear but Spike, walking out of a bar.

He spotted her and stopped. His night just got a whole lot better.

"Buffy?" he called out.

She turned around and smiled, caught off guard.

"Spike!"

"What are you doing here, pet?" Spike said, pleased at her reaction. "Boston's a bit of ways from here."

"Oh, it's sort of a spur of the moment vacation we decided to take," she explained. "Courtesy of Andrew."

Her stomach growled audibly just then, making Spike smile. "Hungry, are we?"

"Didn't eat supper yet," she replied, slightly embarrassed.

Spike became shy. "There's a good Indian restaurant I know that's right down the block, if, uh, you…"

Buffy was clearly amused at his timidity. "Honestly? I've never had Indian food before."

That was all the encouragement Spike needed. "Oh, I'm so taking you," he grinned.

Buffy and Spike walked together at a leisurely pace in a deserted alley a little while later.

"I can't believe it. The Slayer can't take spicy food," Spike playfully mocked her.

"Okay, that wasn't spicy," Buffy said defensively. "That was lumps of burning coal being shoved down my mouth."

"I think you drank five gallons of water."

"Maybe I was thirsty."

"I don't think a fish could be that thirsty."

Buffy smiled, giving in. "You better keep this between us."

Spike grew quiet, misinterpreting her comment. "Oh, right. Can't have them know you were with me." He attempted to be noble about it. "That's fine. We'll be secret friends."

Buffy quickly corrected him. "No, that's not what I meant. I was talking about the spicy food thing. Not about the…me and you thing," she finished, not quite sure what to call them.

Spike looked at her, thinking about something. "My apartment's not far from here--"

But before he could go any further, two vampires attacked them. Buffy quickly switched into fighting mode, blood pumping through her veins. She felt alive as her mind buzzed with the kill, landing punch after punch, kicking the vamp in the face and finally staking him through the heart with a triumphant expression on her face. Spike dealt with his respective adversary with the same animal love for death, and quickly dispatched him. Both warriors stood in the alley, panting, feeling high after the much needed slaying. They looked at each other. Without missing a beat, they crossed the distance between them and kissed each other with ferocity. Passionately, hungrily, wildly.

Part Two

Buffy walked into her hotel room in the early hours of morning. She was greeted by an energetic Willow, who bounced off of the bed to meet her.

"Buffy, where were you?"

Buffy took off her coat and laid it on a table. "Oh, just had some dinner, slayed a vamp. You know, the usual."

"Alone?" Willow asked, dubiously.

"I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself. But…there might have been a guest appearance…"

"Spike? It was Spike, wasn't it? Oh, it was Spike!" Willow grinned at Buffy's nod.

"Yeah, it was." Buffy couldn't help herself, and allowed a small smile to creep up. "We kissed," she said guiltily.

"Oh, I knew it! Your aura is totally glowing."

"It's different this time with Spike, you know? He's got a soul, and he's proven himself to be a champion. Plus, we didn't sleep with each other this time, which is pretty different. But…at the same time…it felt exactly the same," Buffy tried to explain. "The same passion that we used to have, the same sparkage. It was just right."

Willow hugged her friend, overjoyed that she found love again. "Hey, why don't you invite Spike over for Xander's surprise birthday party?"

"Really? I don't know. He and Xander aren't exactly best buds."

Willow rolled her eyes. "He'll go for you, not for Xander, stupid."

Xander's party occurred without a hitch. It was held outdoors just before sunset in a small park. Balloons and streamers hung from trees, with multicolored bulbs gave the place a beautiful glow. Buffy, Willow, and Xander talked and laughed near the cake table, while some other friends, a couple of slayers, and a few watchers milled about, having a good time. Music wafted through the cool, evening air.

The party-goers dispersed as the night went on. Buffy, in a white summer blouse with a long, black skirt, wandered by the food table while Xander and Willow danced. Sensing something, she looked up.

Out from the shadows of the trees emerged Spike, wearing his black button-down shirt and black jeans. He sauntered towards her, and without saying a word, took her hand in his and led her to the dance floor.

Coldplay's "A Rush of Blood to the Head" starts softly.

You said I'm gonna buy this place and burn it down
I'm gonna put it six feet underground
I'm gonna buy this place and watch it fall
Stand here beside me baby in the crumbling walls

Oh I'm gonna buy this place and start a fire
Stand here until I fill all your hearts desire
Because I'm gonna buy this place and see it burn
And do back the things it did to you in return

You said I'm gonna buy a gun and start a war
If you can tell me something worth fighting for
Oh and I'm gonna buy this place is what I said
Blame it upon a rush of blood to the head

She put one hand on his shoulder. They began to move in rhythm, their hearts beating in sync, the notes rushing to their heads. Their eyes never leave each other.

Honey, all the movements you're starting to make

Buffy and Spike kissed each other under the covers of Spike's bed.

See me crumble and fall on my face

Her hands stroked his bare shoulders.

And I know the mistakes that I've made

Spike's face contorted with pleasure.

See it all disappear without a trace

Buffy reached ecstasy, and Spike buried his head in her shoulder.

And they call as they beckon you on

They say start as you need to go on

They gasped, and looked at each other with intensity.

Start as you need to go on

They made love as the sun set. Drowned in each other. As their bodies connected over and over, so did their hearts, until at last they finally merged into one flesh and one love, blossoming like blood seeping into white snow.

So I'm gonna buy a gun and start a war
If you can tell me something worth fighting for
I'm gonna buy this place is what I said
Blame it upon a rush of blood to the head

Holding each other, they slept after their fervent lovemaking.

This was it…

Oh to the head…